Kids Under Cover launches studio program in SA

Building foundations to prevent youth homelessness.
 
What: Kids Under Cover Studio Program
Who: Kids Under Cover
Visit: https://www.kuc.org.au/
 
Kealey Nutt, Head of Communications at Kids Under Cover recently contacted SAcommunity with information about the Kids Under Cover program in South Australia.
 
Kids Under Cover launches studio program in SA to alleviate pressure on families.
 
The SA Housing Authority is working with youth charity Kids Under Cover to support young people in South Australia who may be at risk of homelessness.
 
Kids Under Cover and the Authority have teamed up to help young people who are living in public housing - and may be at risk of homelessness - to remain at home by providing additional on-site studio accommodation. Kids Under Cover, a not-for-profit organization founded by philanthropist and TV personality of ‘Hey Hey It’s Saturday!’ fame, Ken Morgan OAM in 1989, has been dedicated to preventing youth homelessness for over 35 years, primarily in Victoria. Now, their studio program extends to support young people in public housing across South Australia.
 
The Kids Under Cover Studio Program focuses on early intervention to prevent homelessness and support young people in public housing. By providing on-site studio accommodation, it aims to alleviate pressures leading to homelessness or out-of-home care placements. This program, in partnership with various organizations offering wrap-around services, helps more young people exit the cycle of homelessness.
 
The South Australian expansion targets families in public housing within the SA Housing Authority's northern Adelaide region, covering the northern metropolitan area, Barossa Valley, Gawler Belt regions, Two Wells in the northeast, Allendale in the North, and Springton and Eden Valley in the northwest regional areas.
 
The estimated impact includes assisting 64 young people through the funded studios. This initiative is crucial, considering that nearly a quarter of the 122,494 people experiencing homelessness across Australia are aged between 12-24, with one in six young people aged 15-19 having already experienced homelessness.
 
The Kids Under Cover Studio Program acts as a pressure valve in households, providing extra room for breathing space and addressing family tensions. Placed in the backyards of family members or carers, these studios offer safe and secure housing for young people aged 12 to 25, preventing homelessness by intervening early.
 
Expanding the program to include families in public housing ensures that vulnerable young people at the highest risk receive the necessary support to avoid homelessness and maintain crucial family relationships. These one or two-bedroom studios, complete with ensuite bathrooms, offer medium to long-term accommodation. Families also have access to additional support services as needed, including scholarships from Kids Under Cover to help cover the costs of education and training for all young people in the household.
 
To fund this initiative, the SA Housing Authority has allocated $2.3 million to Kids Under Cover, supporting the delivery of 42 studios. Currently, 12 studios have been placed, making a significant impact in preventing youth homelessness.
 
You can learn more about Kids Under Cover’s work at kuc.org.au
To enquire about applying for a studio for a young person(s) please email kuc@kuc.org.au.